President at the ceremony of taking oath by the graduates of Ivan Bohun Lyceum: Our warriors made Ukraine unbroken and proud

President Petro Poroshenko took part in the ceremony of taking oath by the graduates of Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum of Kyiv. The Head of State congratulated everyone on the Day of the Defender of Ukraine.

“When I look into the eyes of our warriors - on the frontline, on the parade, in the training area, during the Invictus Games - I feel that we are becoming stronger day by day. These men have made Ukraine unbroken and proud,” the Head of State noted.

The President reminded that three years ago, when Russia annexed Crimea, occupied part of Donbas and held diversified hybrid war against Ukraine, the Ukrainian calendar still had a holiday from the military-historic calendar of the country-aggressor. That is why, the Head of State signed a Decree to celebrate October 14 as the Day of the Defender of Ukraine. Then, the Verkhovna Rada has also made this new holiday a day off.

“This holiday is not only historic. It is topical, like no other. It is directly related to modern heroes: warriors, volunteers, medics, workers of defense enterprises,” Petro Poroshenko said.

According to him, the ceremony of taking oath by the lyceum students on October 14 has become a tradition. Among the students of the lyceum - 147 children of combatants.

The President noted that hundreds of commanders-graduates of the lyceum had received profound knowledge of modern approaches to the armed struggle, demonstrated high level of professionalism and skills.

The President emphasizes that today, lyceum students are joining this knightly order of Ukrainian soldiers. The Head of State noted that the young men chose a hard path of a man in uniform, the path of the defender of Ukraine: the military, border guard, intelligence officer, and years of exhausting training are ahead of them. He stresses that the state will not spare the effort to prepare lyceum students for the defense of the Homeland, as it is for them to build and defend an independent state of the 21st century.

“I have no doubt that among these grown-up teens are future officers and generals, ambassadors and ministers. Maybe, the future President. And, maybe, even the future NATO Secretary-General, as Ukraine will definitely become a member of the Alliance,” the President emphasized.

Petro Poroshenko also stressed that the memory of the Ukrainian fallen heroes would always remain in the heart of each of us. "We will not forget their feat," the President said. The attendees honored all fallen heroes with a moment of silence.